National Senior Officer - NOB

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.

The following are eligible to apply:

ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.

External candidates* 

*The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade.

Introduction

The ‘PROSPECTS’ Partnership for improving Prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons, was launched by the Government of the Netherlands in 2019 in response to forced displacement crises, bringing together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank. The partnership spans eight countries, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Uganda.

Within the framework of the PROSPECTS partnership in Lebanon, ILO’s focus is on enhancing resilience of the country’s crisis- distressed labour market and creating better livelihoods for both Lebanese host communities and Syrian refugees. It is doing so by promoting the development of market relevant skills (education pillar); enhancing employment placement services and labour market governance, and promoting micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) as well as sectors, including the agriculture and agri-food with potential for decent job creation (employment pillar); and strengthening social protection schemes (protection pillar).

Within its employment pillar, amongst other tools and approaches, the ILO is using its Approach to Inclusive Market Systems (AIMS) to unlock opportunities for decent job creation in the horticulture sector. Following recommendations of a Market Systems Analysis finalized in early 2020, ILO works with a market systems approach to increase productivity and improve working conditions on horticulture farms through improved greenhouse technologies and inputs, improve coordination and information flow along the value chain, and connect farmers to new market opportunities and off-takers.

The objectives of the National Officer (NOB) is to lead on the implementation (and continuous adaptation) of the AIMS interventions strategies under PROSPECTS to develop the greenhouse horticulture sector for inclusive economic growth, while making links and providing technical inputs to the project’s work in the agriculture and agri-food sectors under the different pillars. The application of a thorough market systems approach is innovative in the ILO and beyond and maintaining this implementation focus will be key.

Reporting lines:

The National Officer (NOB) will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) of PROSPECTS Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. The incumbent will also receive technical guidance from ROAS Enterprise Specialist and the SME unit of the HQ Enterprise Department. The position will be based in the ILO Regional Office for Arab States in Beirut, Lebanon.

Descripiton of Duties

1. Prepare and update regularly the AIMS component of the project work plan, monitoring plan and technical progress reports. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities.

2. Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research under the AIMS component and the “Opportunity Fund” of PROSPECTS in line with the project workplan.

3. Prepare and conduct seminars, workshops, and consultative meetings, and implement capacity building interventions for selected local partner organizations and trainer networks to roll out ILO’s entrepreneurship training and cooperative support tools with a view on long-term financial viability and sustainability.

4. Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers' and workers' organizations in the planning and implementation of AIMS and related activities under the PROSPECTS project.

5. Conduct field visits to monitor pilot trials with selected farmers and in close cooperation with private and public local stakeholders, analyse and discuss results of these trials and design upscaling strategies based on results.

6. Identify and liaise with various public and private project partners including suppliers of agricultural inputs to support them in leading initiatives to better inform and support farmers in upgrading to new technology, ensuring adequate use of agricultural inputs and/or improve production practices.

7. Conduct surveys of farmers and workers to monitor changes in the wider horticulture market system and measure impact of project activities.

8. Liaise with PROSPECTS partners, other UN agencies and related ministries and represent the ILO at meetings related to AIMS/Value Chain Development in Lebanon, donor/partner meetings and UN agencies’ meetings.

9. As needed, analyse and prepare background information, technical inputs about the relevant project component that feed into reports, presentations, advocacy materials produced by the PROSPECTs project.

10. Assist in drafting follow-up phases of the project and provide the necessary support for related fund raising initiatives.

11. Undertake any other duties or tasks requested by the PROSPECTS CTA as needed.

Required qualifications

Education

University degree in economics, agriculture sciences, development studies or other relevant field.

Advanced university degree would be an advantage.

Experience

Three years of relevant professional experience at the national level implementing and/or supporting small enterprise promotion projects, at least two years of which with the UN or international organizations. Experience with value chain development and/or market systems development is a requirement. Experience in the agriculture sector in particular is considered a strong advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic. 

Competencies

• Good knowledge of the market systems approach and entrepreneurship promotion tools.
• Proven ability to implement projects in cooperation with project partners and key stakeholders.
• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms.
• Good understanding of the local economic and political context of Lebanon and the refugee situation.
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.